Finger cot



H. L. WHEELER FINGER COT Filed March 7, 1957 Feb. 23, 1960 FINGER COT Hudson L. Wheeler, Evanston, 111., assignor to Wheeler Protective Apparel, Inc., Chicago, 11]., a corporation of lliinois Application March 7, 1957, Serial No. 644,644

1 Claim. (Cl. 2-21) This invention relates to a protection device, and more particularly relates to an improved finger protecting device or cot. 7

One of the ever present problems encountered in finger protecting devices or cots, is that of maintaining good wear and flexibility characteristics of the device without an undue hampering or restricting the normal movements of the users finger.

In the past, these objectives have been realized to some degree by utilizing a finger cot construction having an open end or open sides, together with some form of elastic material to retain the cot in its proper position on a users finger. Many of these cots were, however, either uncomfortable to the wearer, did not adequately protect the users finger, did'not permitfree use and control of the finger being protected, or were costly and diificult to manufacture.

The present invention offers a solution'to several of these problems in the form of an improved finger protecting device or cot, that is not only comfortable to the wearer and provides full use of the protected finger while being worn, but also affords maximum protection to the.

most critical areas of the wearers finger as well as being economical to manufacture.

Briefly described, the present invention. contemplates a contoured finger cot construction in which two members are marginally connected to form a pocket that substantially covers the inside, sides, tip and a portion of the back of the users finger, and in which an elastic retaining strip is utilized to maintain the protecting device in position on a wearers finger.

The first or lower member of the device covers a portion of the tip and substantially all of the inside portion of a users finger, while the second or upper member principally covers the back portion of the users finger up to adjacent the intermediate knuckle. retaining strap of the device is in each instance marginally secured to the first or lower member so as to engage the users finger above the intermediate knuckle and thus permit free movement of the finger without rubbing.

In the preferred form of the invention, a moccasin type construction is utilized, wherein the first or lower member substantially encloses the inside, side and tip portions of a users finger, and the second or upper member substantially covers the back portion of a users finger to a point below the intermediate knuckle, the upper and lower members being marginally secured to each other by lock stitching. v

In another embodiment of the invention, a laminated type construction is utilized, wherein the first or lower member of the device substantially covers both the inside and a portion of the side and tip of the users finger, and a second or upper member substantially covers the remainder of the tip and sides. and a portion of the back of the users finger to a point below the intermediate knuckle.

As in the preferred form of the invention, the lower The elastic and upper members are marginally secured to each other by lock stitching, but in the modified embodiment of the invention, the upper member is formed with a novel saw-toothed recess over the back portion of the users finger, and an elastic member is sandwiched between the first and second members to close the saw-tooth recess and thus exert a circumferential tensioning action in that portion of the device below the intermediate knuckle. A resilient strap member is also included to retain the device on the users finger without rubbing, and lock stitching is utilized in the marginal areas of the device.

It is a feature then of the present invention to utilize a novel moccasin-type construction to provide maximum protection to the critical areas of a users finger, with a minimum of discomfort and hampering of freedom of movement to the user.

Another feature of the invention is the utilization of a novel saw-toothed dart in the upper protecting member of the device, together with an underlying elastic member to close the dart and thereby provide a tensioning action for maximum control and action of the users finger.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved finger protecting device or cot.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved finger cot construction that affords maximum protection and use of the wearers finger without discomfort.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved finger cot utilizing a lock stitch construction throughout to strengthen and extend the useful life of the cot.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a finger cot utilizing a novel moccasin-type construction, which affords a full use of the wearers finger tip with a minimum of inter-digital interference from the. seams of the cot.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a finger cot utilizing a'novel saw-toothed dart or recess in the upper portion of the cot that protects the top of the wearers finger, in conjunction with an elastic tension member that closes the recess and exerts a tensioning force around a users finger to permit maximum finger action. 7

Another object of the present invention is to provide a moccasin-type finger cot construction that utilizes shirr sewing, in addition to marginal lock stitching, to permit a smooth fit of the cot on a users finger.

Many other objects and advantages of the present invention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to the detailed description and accompanying sheet of drawings that form a part of this specification, and in which like reference numerals and letters are used to identify identical parts.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the the cot of my invention while being Worn;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the cot of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line IIIIII of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a top plan view of a modified form of the present invention; and

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line V-V of Figure 4.

.As shown on the drawings:

In Figures 1-3, the preferred form of the finger protecting device or wt of the present invention is illustrated and designated generally by the reference letter A. The finger protecting device A includes a first or lower protecting member 10, a second or upper protecting member 11, that is secured to the lower protecting'member 10,

position of atits extremities to the lower main protecting member 10.

The lower and upper protecting members It) and 11, respectively, may be formed from any suitable protecting material that is abrasion resistant, easily shaped and flexible, as for example a soft, flexible leather or plastic, but it should be understood that the invention is not limited to anyparticular type or choice of materials employed in the lower and'upper protecting members and 11.

As best shown in Figure 2, the lower main protecting memberlfl includes an elongated body portion 13, having a rounded distal tip end 14, lateral side or edge portions 16, and a proximal end portion '17. The elongated body portion 13' and'rounded tip end 14 closely approximate in plan the natural contours of the human finger, thereby providing a smooth comfortable fit to the wearer when the'protecting device A has been assembled and is being worn. The proximal end portion 17 of the lower pro tecting member '19 is preferably formed with a squaredoif linear edge configuration, though it should be'understood that the end portion 17 could be formed in any other desired shape, depending upon the contemplated usage and extent of protective coverage desired for the users finger.

It should also be noted that in the preferred form of the invention, the elongated body portion 13 is sufficiently large in plan to permit the tip end 14 and side portions 16 to be wrapped aroundthe'inside, side portions and tip end of a users finger to thus enclose and protectively cover these parts, as will be explained in more detail as the description proceeds.

The upper or second protecting member 11, is formed with a plan configuration similar to the first or lower protecting member 10, but is smaller in size, and more nearly equal to the projected plan configuration of a human finger. The upper main protecting member 11 thus includes an elongated-body portion 18 having a roundeddistal tip end 19, lateral side or edge portions 20 and a proximal end portion 21 The tip end 19 and lateral side portion 20 of the upper protecting member body portion 18 are generally similarly shaped to their corresponding portions on the elongated body of the lower protecting member 11), to this permit a smooth congruent assembled relationship of these members in the finished cot -A. i

The body portion 18 of the upper protecting member 11 informed of a length such that when it has been secured to the lower protecting member 10 and engaged on ausers finger, the elongated body portion 18 will substantially cover the tip and back portion of the users fingerup' to a point adjacent the users intermediateknuckle.

In order to insure free bending of the users intermediate knuckle without substantially sacrificing protection of the back portion of the users finger below that point and toward the tip end thereof, the proximal end portion 21 of the upper protecting member 11 may be centrally distally recessed, as at 22, thereby preventing any binding or rubbing of the proximal end 21 around the intermediate knuckle and permitting a maximum freedom of use include the point of juncture of the elastic strap retaining: member '12 with the lower protecting member 19. Thus I the lower andupper protecting members 10 and 11 are secured to each other by the lock stitching 23, and the elastic strap retaining member 12 is secured by lock stitching 23 to the body portion 13 of the lower protecting member 10.

It will be understood that some other form of stitching could be used in the assembly of the components in the finger protecting device A, depending upon the operating conditions and usages to be encountered.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2;shirr sewing 24 is preferably employed at the marginaljuncture of the lower and upper protecting members 10 and 11 in the finger protecting device A, in order to provide a smoothly contoured fit of the device around the users finger, the lower member 19 thus having its peripheral edge foreshortened so that it extends for a distance substantially less than its length prior to assembly. The shirr sewing provides a wrap-around stitch which is drawn tight to form a seam protecting corrugated edge surface at the peripheral edge of the first and second members and attheirpoints of mutual attachment. As best shown in Figure 1, the assembled finger protecting device A, utilizes a novel moccasin-type construction, the advantages of which are strength and comfort to the wearer and simplicity of manufacture In addition, the moccasin-type construction utilized in the finger protecting device A, permits a'full use of the wearers fingertip as well as minimizing inter-digital interfcre'nce from the cot, in that'the later'aledge portions 16 and'Zil ofithe'lower and upper protecting members 10 ably overlie the'users finger at a point above the intermediateknuckle, thereby permitting free movement of this joint while the cot is being worn.

Thus it'will' beapp'reciated that the fing'er protecting device or cot'A utilizes a'. novel moccasin-type construction that provides. a" strong, simply constructed finger protecting device, that is cornfortablwto the wearer and economical to manufacture; and in which maximum flexib'ility"and freedom of use isfaifordedto the Wearers finger as aresult of the contoured shape and shirr sewingfemployed in tlreconstruction of the cot.

, Referringjnowmore particularly. to Figures 4 and 5, a 'mod'ifiedembodiment of the invention is illustrated,

and designated generally by the reference" letter B.

As best shown in Figure 4, the finger protecting device or"cotB generally includes a lower or first main protecting member 30, an upper or second protecting member 31, an'elastic tensioning member 32 and a resilient strapretaining member 12', that is identical in structure and function to the resilient strap retaining member 12' of the finger protecting deviceA. I p

The lower main protecting member 30-1ncludes an elongated body p'ortion'13', a rounded distal tip and 14 (Figured), lateral sides oredge poritio'ns-16 and a rounded proximal portion'33;

I The"lower'main' protecting member 30 issubstantially similarin plan to the projected image'of a human finger and to the lower main protecting member 10" ofthe finger protecting device A, but 'diifers from" the lower protecting member 10", in that'its overall dimensions are somewhat smaller'than those of its'countr' partin the fingercot'A', such that the lower protecting member 30 will principally cover the inside a'nd a portion of the siiies-o'f a users finger, as will be explained in more Y detaillater.

The upper or second protecting member 31 is preferably congruent in plan to the tip end 14' and body portion 13 of the lower main protecting member 30, in that it includes a rounded distal tip end 19', lateral side portions 20' and a proximal end portion 21'. The proximal end portion 21' of the upper protecting member 31, differs however from the proximal end portion 21' of the upper protecting member 11 of the finger cot A, in that it includes a substantially deeper and wider recess or dart 34, that extends toward the distal tip end 19' to a substantially greater depth than the recess 22'. The recess 34 may have any desired shape, but as illustrated in Figure 4, is preferably of a saw-toothed configuration, the apex of the recess being oriented toward the distal tip end 19 of the upper protecting member 31 and having a suflicient depth to normally uncover the major back portion of the wearers finger. The purpose and function of the saw-toothed recess 34 will be explained in more detail as the description proceeds.

The lower and upper protecting members 30 and 31, respectively, may be constructed of any suitable protective material, similar to the protective material employed in the finger protecting device A, that is flexible and easily shaped, as for example leather or plastic, but it should be understood that any other material may be employed instead, depending upon a particular operating condition or usage.

The elastic tensioning member 32 is preferably formed with an untensioned dimension substantially equal to the width of the lower and upper body members 13' and 18, respectively, and having a longitudinal length sufiicient to close the saw-toothed recess 34 and extend nearly up to the rounded tip ends 14' and 19' of the lower and upper protecting members 30 and 31, respectively.

The elastic tensioning member 32 is preferably secured between the lower protecting member 30 and upper protecting member 31, such that its transverse edge portion 36 forms a continuation of the proximal end portion 21' of the upper protecting member 31.

It should be noted however, that the transverse edge portion 36 of the elastic tensioning member 32 will cover a substantial back portion of the wearers finger, and will thus serve as a circumscribing tensioning member to maintain a snug fit between the lower and upper protecting members 30 and 31 and the users finger. The elastic tensioning member 32 and upper protecting member 31 substantially cover the back portion of the wearers finger and proximally extend to a point below the intermediate knuckle, thereby affording a maximum finger action to the wearer and a minimum of interference with the normal flexing movements.

Thus it will be appreciated that the novel elastic tensioning member 32, together with the saw-toothed recess 34 in the upper protecting member 31, provide a continuous tensioning action to snugly retain the finger protecting device B around a users finger, regardless of the flexed position of the wearers finger.

The upper protecting member 31 and lower protecting member 30, are marginally secured to each other with the elastic tensioning member intermediately positioned therebetween, by lock stitching 23', similar to the construction used in the finger cot A. It should be noted, however, that the lock stitching 23' in the modified finger protecting device or cot B, extends beyond the juncture point of the resilient strap retaining member 12' with the lower member 30, to a point 37, adjacent the proximal end portion 33. The marginal extension of the lock stitching 23' to the point 37 not only serves to strengthen the marginal edges of the lower main protecting member 30 in the zone adjacent the proximal end portion 33, but also serves to hold the lateral side portions 16 of the lower protecting member 30 around the users finger, thereby reducing the possibility of interdigital interference and rubbing, while the cot is in use.

As best shown in Figure 4, the proximal end portion 33 of the lower protecting member 30 is preferably formed with a convex configuration, to thereby extend the zone of protection for the inside portion of the users finger, substantially up to the juncture point of the finger and hand, though it should be understood that any other desired end configuration could be used at the proximal end portion 33 of the finger protecting device B, as desired.

Thus it will be appreciated that the novel saw-toothed recess 34 and underlying elastic tensioning member 32 cooperate in the finger cot B to provide a controlled tensioning action of the cot around the wearers finger and a maximum finger action to the wearer while in use. In addition, the multiple layer construction utilized in the finger cot B affords a somewhat greater degree of protection to the back tip portion of the users finger, due to the increased thickness of material at this point, which may be particularly advantageous under more hazardous operating conditions.

While only two specific embodiments of the present invention have been herein described, it should be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts herein disclosed.

I claim as my invention:

A finger protecting device comprising a first flexible material member having an elongated body portion, a distal end and a proximal end, said first member being shaped to substantially cover the inside and a portion of each side of a users finger, a second flexible material member shaped to cover a portion of the back and sides of a users finger that includes a body portion, a distal end and a proximal end having a transverse edge portion, said transverse edge portion having a saw-toothed recess extending toward the distal end of said second member, an elastic member between said first and second members to close said saw-toothed indentation and provide a snug-fitting engagement of the device around a users finger, said elastic member being marginally secured between said first and second members at the body portions thereof, said members being secured together by lock stitching that extends around the distal ends and body portions of the first and second members, and elastic strap means secured substantially at the proximal end of said first member to retain the device on a. users finger.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 293,831 Wickers Feb. 19, 1884 1,103,921 Waller July 14, 1914 1,343,713 Fuller June 15, 1920 1,913,218 Smith June 6, 1933 2,461,872 Beatty Feb. 15, 1949 2,461,970 Finegan Feb. 15, 1949 2,538,837 Johnston Jan. 23, 1951 2,548,961 Foster Apr. 17, 1951 2,740,121 Seidel Apr. 3, 1956 

